MERCER COUNTY Union raise not extended to nonunion employees

Commissioners agreed to increase the mileage reimbursement rate by 3 cents.
MERCER, Pa. -- Some nonunion Mercer County employees will receive 20 cents per hour less than their union counterparts this year.
The Mercer County Salary Board split 2-2 on a motion to extend the same 40 cent hourly raise negotiated by county unions to all employees.
Commissioners Olivia Lazor and Michele Brooks voted for the raise, while Commissioner Brian Beader and Mercer County Controller Thomas Amundsen voted against it.
Beader commented Thursday that 20 cents was given to everyone at the beginning of the year, and this was the level he felt the county could afford without imposing layoffs. Amundsen said he did not feel comfortable with the raise, either, and wanted it tabled for study.
Bill Boyle, director of administrative services, said there is money in the county's contingencies and reserve funds to cover the raise.
Brooks and Lazor said it was unfair for employees to be paid differently for the same work.
The raise would have affected all nonunion employees who did not receive a step increase in 2005.
New developments
Commissioners also handled these matters:
UAccepted a contract to pay $8,320 for wetlands investigations by GAI consultants Inc. of Homestead, Pa., for county bridges on McCartney Road, Fairview Township; Riggs Road, Shenango Township; and Diamond Road in Pine Township. County Engineer Mark Miller said the Riggs Road bridge also will undergo an archeological study because state officials have indicated there may be artifacts there.
URaised mileage reimbursement for employees who use their vehicles on county business from 35 to 38 cents per mile as long as the average gas price is $2.50 or more per gallon.
UApproved a contract for Sheriff Bill Romine to use $7,500 of a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant for a new sport utility vehicle to replace one that is nine years old. The vehicle will not be purchased until 2006.
UEstablished an election research committee to study what type of voting machines the county should purchase.